Can I use regular energy saver lighting in my FW tank?

LyzzaRyzz

So, I dont have aquarium light bulbs. I did have two, but they blew within two days of each other, and that was about two weeks ago.

I found that regular 40 watt or 60 watt light bulbs dont fit in to the bulb slot, but that the energy saver spiral bulbs do. So now, I have two 13 watt bulbs for my tank.

Is this too much light? Should i go and get aquarium bulbs? Should i maybe only use one?

My tank is relatively new, as I just got the appropriate filter, [long story] and totally re did my tank.

I know the water is supposed to be a bit cloudy the first few weeks, as its been, but today, the water has taken on a greenish hue. The only real plant i have in there are marimo balls, recently ripped.

Ive had tanks totally over come with algea, I want to avoid that.

Could this green hue be the water maturing?

kitten_penang

too much lighting of the wrong kind and long lighting times will create algae.your tank needs to be cycled first.do a large wc cut down lighting time and limit feeding in the tank.cloudy water means bacterial bloom which is common in a cycling tank simple wc will help.when it's fully cycled it will be clear. btw if it's cloudy on the first day it might mean your sand,gravel etc wasn't washed properly

redchigh

13 is on the high end, but if you introduce some floating plants (frogbit, azolla, the like) then it will shade the water.

What spectrum are the bulbs? 6500k (or close) is ideal. Up the water changes to get rid of the hue. (greenish hue is probably algae- you need more plants, or else run carbon)

LyzzaRyzz

I got some Java Moss today, and I have five different bottles set up, and some in the tanks. I'm hoping it'll create a sort of layer.
Also, I'm thinking of building a structure to grow the Java Moss on..what materials do you guys suggest?

I'm not sure the spectrum of the lights, I'll check tomorrow.
Will the Java Moss grow quicker in that light? How about a regular desk lamp? Will that have Abby affect?

Isn't carbon supposed to help plants grow? Wouldn't adding carbon also help the algea to grow?

The water wasn't cloudy the first day, it was about the fourth or fifth. Its gotten a little cloudier, but to much greener. I'm doing a 50% w/c tomorrow. Is that too much at once? Should I do about a fourth?

LyzzaRyzz

But NOT tOo much greener***

kitten_penang

depends on whether the water was treated with anti chlorine and set the day before. some plants don't do well if you top up straight from the tap.if your tank is small i see no reason for you not to set up a small holding place for tank water to set before adding to your tank.Java Moss doesn't like too much light but it must be in the right spectrum.the temp shouldn't be too hot either.room temp of 27-28 degrees and occasionally 30 degrees for a while is ok.as for carbon it depends on what type.seachem exel is a liquid carbon when you dose it. it creates higher levels of co2 in your tank.pls don't dose your tank just by reading this ok. most of us only use it occasionally when we have trouble with stag horn or hair algae that is almost impossible to scrape off the plant leaves them selves.

LyzzaRyzz

I always treat my water, I never go without it!

I'm going to try doing a third of the water for water changes every other day...

kitten_penang

well then good luck with the tank and don't be shy to ask if you run into any problems